Recollections of Thirty-nine Years in the Army

53

That each act in this life bears its fruit in the next.

54

The attainment of a sinless state of existence.

55

Died 1805.

56

During the early wars by the East India Company the troops employed by it comprised men of various European nationalities, besides natives of the United Kingdom.

57

The officer alluded to, familiarly known as “Paddy” Graves, parodied a well-known soldiers’ song of Peninsular days after this manner: —

The Sixty-second Springers all – are

Going to march unto Umballah – r;

And the Buffs, that gallant band – are

Going to their native land – are.

Love, farewell.”

58

In subsequent years large numbers of them were converted to Christianity; colonies established by them in Cachar and Assam.

59

In 1757 a stately range of two-storied barracks for “European” troops were erected at a cost of £302,278, the rupee then worth 2s. In 1834 they were abandoned on account of high rates of sickness and mortality among their occupants; average admission rate of 13 years per 1,000 strength, admissions 2,196, deaths 82. Of certain endemic diseases treated the rates of deaths to admissions were: – fever, 1 in 21; dysentery, 1 in 10; hepatitis, 1 in 9.

60

Then sixteen years of age. His grandfather, Jaffer Ali, Wuzzeer of Suraj ood Dowlah, Nawab of Bengal, a member of the Imperial family of Delhi, whom Lord Clive defeated at Plassee in 1757. It is related that on that occasion Jaffer Ali bribed a number of Suraj ood Dowlah’s troops; with them he deserted his chief and went over to the English side. Subsequently the Nawab was assassinated, and Jaffer Ali raised to a position he had no right to claim. Thenceforward the Nawab of Moorshedabad was an “ally” of the British Government.

61

Plassee. From Palasa, “dâk tree,” or Butea frondosa.

62

Kulnah is 164 miles from the Sandheads.

63

Now, after an interval of fifty-two years, I still am proud to call him friend. Alas! since the above was written he has passed away.

64

January 19, 1845.

65

On April 29, 1845.

66

It is related that in A.D. 455 a battle took place near this spot between the Saxons under Hengist and Horsa, and the Britons under Vertimer, the latter being victorious; that among the killed were Horsa, the Saxon, and Catigern, the brother of Vertimer. One account relates that the cromlech alluded to is that of Catigern, Horsa having been killed at Horsted near Rochester.

67

Lieutenant Graham.

68

July 15 – under command of Sir Hyde Parker.

69

Statistical Reports by Major Tulloch.

70

Regimental pay, 7s. 6d. per day; mess and band subscriptions deducted from it.

71

July 10, 1846, Staff-Surgeon, 2nd class.

72

Dating back to A.D. 1572, when, under Elizabeth, the regiment was formed out of the Trained Bands of London, its uniforms of Buff leather, whence its name, now a proud title.

73

Now, alas! while these notes are being transcribed, only one remains; namely, General Sir Frederick Francis Maude, G.C.B. Only lately did my other great friend, Deputy Surgeon-General Bostock, C.B., Q.H.S., die. While the notes are under revision, Maude has passed away.

74

When the first Europeans trading between Benin and Palmas asked where the gold and produce offered them for sale came from, the natives answered, “From Jenné” (on the Niger, near Timbuctoo). Her name was thus given to the Gulf of Guinea, and, indirectly, to the English coin, the guinea. (Timbuctoo the Mysterious, by Felix Dubois, p. 172.)

75

Mr. Barnes, with whom I was acquainted in 1847, had been with that force in 1826.

76

From the Portuguese Fetisso, a spell, or charm.

77

From August 1, 1838, slaves became free.

78

Thespesia, acacias, including the sensitive plant, abrus, convolvuli, palms, wild figs, tamarind, etc.

79

Of the Wesleyans.

80

Some account of L. E. L. is given in my separate book, Life on the Gold Coast. I consider that the cause of her death was disease of the heart, with which she was known to have been affected several years.

81

Still called “Napoleon.”

82

Under the title of Contributions to Ornithology.

83

Commander, afterwards Sir W. Winniett, R.N. He died on the Coast.

84

Captain Losack.

85

Lieutenant Bingham. He lost his health during the expedition, and shortly thereafter died in England.

86

C. Swaine.

87

The brig Governor Maclean.

88

Messrs. Brodie Cruickshank and Frank Swanzy.

89

Quako Acko by name.

90

Slave-ships captured by British men-of-war were taken to Sierra Leone, their cargoes there transferred to the establishment so-named.

91

On June 22, 1848.

92

Coccoloba uvifera.

93

Sorghum vulgare.

94

With my friend J. A. Bostock.

95

General Sir Henry King, K.C.B.

96

December 22, 1848.

97

January 13, 1849.

98

February 21.

99

Out of 570 officers and men who went into action at Albuhera, the commanding officer, 22 other officers, and more than 200 men were placed hors de combat. The “dead were found lying as they fought in ranks; every wound was in front.”

100

Davenish.

101

Dedicated to St. Molash, who died A.D. 563.

102

The manufacture of Beleek ware was then a thing of the future.

103

See Illustrated London News, October 12, 1849.

104

The ceremony solemnized by the Rev. J. A. Grant, of Nairn.

105

Major and Mrs. Shadforth.

106

Another statement is that his birth took place in Upper Merrion Street, Dublin; his baptism in St. Peter’s Church.

107

That was in 1850.

108

Parliament, June, 1845.

109

August 31, 1850.

110

London Gazette, August 12, 1850.

111

Born on April 12, 1851.

112

Killed at Inkerman.

113

London Gazette, May 23, 1851.